Jan 25, 2024 | Uncategorized
On the occasion of National Girl Child Day, Astral Limited, through its CSR arm, Astral Foundation, hosted a special event today in Dholka, Gujarat. The event aimed to celebrate the spirit of girlhood and raise awareness about the importance of empowering and protecting the girl child, at the same time raising awareness about environment conservation.
The event witnessed the presence of Padma Shree Shyam Sunder Paliwal as a special guest, where Mrs. Jagruti Engineer, Director of Astral Limited, felicitated him for his outstanding contributions and pioneering work in advocating for the protection of the girl child, coupled with initiatives for water and tree conservation in Piplantri village, Rajsamand district, Rajasthan.
As part of its ongoing commitment to social responsibility, Jagruti Engineer announced the adoption of Vasna Keliya village near Dholka Ahmedabad where 111 trees will be planted by Astral Foundation on the birth of each girl child of the village. Emphasizing the sustainability of this initiative, the families collectively pledged to nurture the planted saplings until they reach full maturity, contributing to the flourishing green cover in these communities. This initiative aims to promote environmental sustainability while celebrating the birth of every girl child.
During the celebration, Mrs. Jagruti Engineer, Director of Astral Limited, and a driving force behind Astral Foundation’s initiatives, expressed her excitement about the event, stating, “National Girl Child Day is an occasion to reaffirm our commitment to the well-being and empowerment of the girl child. We are honored to have Mr. Shyam Sunder Paliwal, a beacon of inspiration, join us for this celebration. Astral Foundation is deeply committed to championing forward-thinking projects that bring about positive change in society.”
Padma Shree Shyam Sunder Paliwal, the special guest at the event, extended heartfelt gratitude to Astral Limited for the esteemed felicitation, he expressed, “Collaborating with Astral Limited has been a source of immense joy, particularly in extending the reach of our movement to new territories. Witnessing the empowerment of more girls through Astral’s adoption of Vasna Keliya is truly gratifying. At Piplantri, We run training programs for Sarpanch of villages from various places in our country. We invite Vasna Keliya Sarpanch and the team to Piplantri and study various projects and initiatives. Ultimately, our collective focus should be on overall development of the village as one entity.”
In 2023, Astral Foundation unveiled a short film showcasing the village of Piplantri and featuring the prominent Shyam Sunder Paliwal. The film beautifully captured the unique tradition of celebrating the birth of a girl child by planting 111 trees. The short film garnered widespread attention, quickly becoming viral and earning positive acclaim from the public.
The event is poised to serve as a platform for dialogue, inspiration, and action, uniting stakeholders, community leaders, and the public to collectively work towards creating a more inclusive and supportive environment for the girl child.
Jan 25, 2024 | Uncategorized
Wipro GE Healthcare, a leading global medical technology, diagnostics, and digital solutions innovator today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), India’s premier research institution, for a pioneering alliance to advance healthcare innovation, research, and technology development in India. This collaboration aims to take a comprehensive approach in solving the care gap by addressing the full lifecycle that includes co-developing solutions, validating the technologies, and manufacturing them locally to bring them to the market. With the impending commencement of the Bagchi-Parthasarathy Hospital & IISc Medical School, this strategic collaboration will enable translation of technologies from bench to bedside.
According to World Health Organisation Report 2018, “Globally, Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) accounted for 71% of total deaths. In India, NCDs were estimated to account for 63% of all deaths, and cancer was one of the leading causes (9%).”[1] This industry-academia collaboration aims to advance indigenous innovation and manufacturing of MedTech products that meets the needs of both global and local patients suffering from NCDs including cancer, cardiology, and neurology in line with the agenda of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’.
The collaboration will entail co-development initiatives in the areas of basic and applied science, systems engineering, product & software development, consultancy, publications, academic studies, internships, fellowships, and training. IISc and GE HealthCare will constitute a joint working committee, comprising representatives from both sides, for research around product and solution development.
Govindan Rangarajan, Director, Indian Institute of Science (IISc), said, “We see a tremendous need for innovative R&D that can improve outcomes in patients with NCD. The collaboration will emphasise combining science and engineering with translational & clinical research to epitomize “bench-to-bedside” innovation. GE HealthCare is the right partner for us in this initiative, given their leadership and strong footprint in India for R&D and manufacturing. We are confident that together, we can accelerate India’s position as a global force for healthcare for the world.”
Chaitanya Sarawate, Managing Director, Wipro GE Healthcare and President & CEO, GE HealthCare South Asia, said, “India today is at an inflection point, with a potential to become the hub for the world. IISc is a premier educational institute engaged in technical education, basic and applied research, innovation, entrepreneurship, and industrial consultancy and GE HealthCare is a world leader in MedTech with strategic R&D and manufacturing footprint in India. This is a strategic collaboration that combines the strengths, capabilities, and local infrastructure of both entities. Our aim together is to invest in technologies of the future that can revolutionize the care paradigm – with more precise, connected, and compassionate care to patients in India and worldwide.”
The collaboration aligns with the Indian Government’s emphasis on fostering local Research and Development (R&D) and Manufacturing in the MedTech sector, necessitating Public-Private Partnership (PPP) models to further drive technology development. Collaborative efforts by both the entities will be deployed for product development and clinical research, improving indigenization of manufacturing and academic activities to strengthen the healthcare ecosystem.
Jan 25, 2024 | Uncategorized
Bookingjini, a travel-tech platform raised an undisclosed amount in a Pre-Series A Round led by Inflection Point Ventures. The funds will be allocated towards both product development and customer acquisition strategies.Bookingjini is dedicated to redefining hospitality through cutting-edge technology, by providing a seamless booking experience for both hoteliers and guests. The platform offers a smart booking engine, channel manager, guest relationship management, analytics, and mobile accessibility. Bookingjini stands out from peers in the industry for its focus on continuous innovation, building customizable solutions, robust support, and scalable services, empowering hotels to thrive in an ever-evolving industry.
Sibasish Mishra, the Founder and CEO, leads Bookingjini with a passion for transforming the hospitality industry through innovative technology and a customer-first approach.
Madhukar Bhardwaj, Sr. Vice President, Inflection Point Ventures, says, “Boutique hotels depend heavily on intermediaries to achieve their bookings which leads to heavy commission outflow and marginal gains. Managing sales, customers, managing hygiene, hotel maintenance, guest services, and the ever-expanding digital landscape further complicates their challenges. Bookingjini addresses these issues by providing technology, including a booking engine, guest relationship management system, and a robust customer service. This not only empowers the hotels but also helps in cutting down the cost of traditional intermediaries. Bookingjini’s vision on simplifying hotel operations in an ever-evolving digital landscape is a game changer.”
Bookingjini operates with a significant scale in India, serving over 2100 paying customers in India.Bookingjini excels in revolutionising hospitality through innovative solutions like its smart booking engine and robust guest relationship management. Its unique selling proposition lies in continuous innovation, adaptability, and unwavering support, empowering hotels to optimise revenue, personalise guest experiences, and scale seamlessly.
Sibashish Mishra, Founder & CEO, Bookingjini, says, “I believe in empowering hotels with technology that not only simplifies management but transforms the entire guest experience. Our journey is defined by an unwavering commitment to innovation, a passion for customization, and a dedication to supporting our clients in every step of their growth. In a world where hospitality meets technology, Bookingjini stands as a beacon of seamless solutions, shaping the future of how hotels connect with guests and thrive in the digital era.”
Bookingjini has achieved remarkable milestones, securing partnerships with 8 State Tourism Development Corporations and surpassing the significant milestone of crossing 1.2 million USD in Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR).The Indian market for this industry is poised for substantial growth, projected to reach a staggering USD 57 billion by the year 2027.
Jan 25, 2024 | Uncategorized
Equirus, a leading financial services firm, proudly announces the launch of the Equirus InnovateX Fund (EIF), a US$25 million investment vehicle dedicated to supporting seed-stage tech companies. Equirus InnovateX Fund aims to nurture visionary entrepreneurs and empower them to build ground-breaking solutions that will shape the future of various industries. Key investment themes for EIF include Software as a Service (SaaS), Deep Tech, Fintech, and other emerging sectors, with a primary focus on business-to-business (B2B) themes. The US$500,000 to US$1 million fund will be invested in 15-20 companies showcasing proven track record of sustainable business models, strong monetization strategies with capabilities of solving critical problems in large addressable markets.
Operated by experienced founders Sunder Nookala and Sadhika Agarwal, EIF brings a wealth of knowledge and a solid investment track record to the table. The ethos of EIF extends beyond providing capital; the fund is committed to unlocking value for early-stage start-up founders. Through strategic counsel, amplified governance, assistance in building exceptional teams, and a focus on building enduring, sustainable enterprises, Equirus InnovateX Fund seeks to empower entrepreneurs to successfully navigate the complexities of the start-up journey.
“Post 2022, there has been a discernible shift in investment approach. We expect this recalibration in venture investing to continue. Capital deployment will remain cautious and favour sustainable business models with robust monetization potential. We believe that Equirus InnovateX Fund is more than just a financial investment; it’s a strategic partnership aimed at catalyzing innovation, fostering growth, and contributing to the success stories of the next generation of tech leaders. By combining financial backing with a wealth of experience, mentorship, and industry connections, EIF is poised to make a significant impact in the tech start-up ecosystem,” said Sunder Nookala, Early-Stage VC, and Head Tech & Digital at Equirus.
Sadhika Agarwal, Early-Stage VC at Equirus, shared her enthusiasm for the fund’s launch, stating, “EIF represents a unique opportunity to foster innovation in the tech sector. Our aim is not just investing capital but in being catalysts for the success of visionary entrepreneurs, helping them create sustainable enterprises that will shape the future. The talent pool in India coupled with a supportive ecosystem for tech, positions us well to nurture promising businesses that can compete at a global level.”
Ajay Garg, Managing Director at Equirus, an active angel investor with a decade-long track record, has notable investments including Republic, Druva, Kwench, Mobstac, among others. Sunder, a serial entrepreneur, an active angel investor & ex-founder of Kwench, an employee engagement platform, achieved a successful exit after the company’s acquisition by US-based O.C. Tanner. He is an active angel investor and LP in Upekkha and PointOne Capital, has invested in companies like Credgenics and GoComet. Meanwhile, Sadhika founded Sudo Foods, a consumer brand specializing in quality plant-based alternatives.
Jan 25, 2024 | Uncategorized
RecFaces, an international facial recognition software developer, has announced its participation in an upcoming online panel discussion hosted by Security Today Group in India. The event is to be held at 3:30 pm IST on 31st January, 2024. The online panel discussion, titled “Securing Tomorrow: A Deep Dive into Facial Recognition Integration for Business Excellence” is focused to bring together industry experts, thought leaders, and key stakeholders to provide a comprehensive view on the current security challenges.
This event involves participation of a vibrant panel with representatives from RecFaces along with acclaimed leaders of manufacturing industry. RecFaces, renowned for its innovative facial recognition software products is going to contribute valuable insights to the discussion on the integration of facial recognition technology for achieving business excellence in security. The panel will dive into the current security issues being faced by the manufacturing industry in India and opportunities associated with facial recognition.
Participants will reap invaluable benefits from understanding how facial recognition technology can help enhance decision making to fight challenging security situations for better structure development. Integrators will also get a chance to understand the ease of integration of facial recognition software in their existing video management system.
“Implementation of facial recognition technology at the right level of security is integral to achieve higher business efficiency across sectors. This Panel discussion will highlight how Facial Recognition is the perfect Biometric solution to achieve overall business excellence,” said Sukrit, Global Marketing Partner, APAC & MENA, RecFaces.”
Jan 25, 2024 | Uncategorized
Infinity Learn by Sri Chaitanya, India’s only Hybrid Learning platform delivering outcome-based learning at scale, is thrilled to announce a live analysis of the JEE Main Exam 2024, from 27th January to 1st February, 2024.
The National Testing Agency (NTA) has revealed the schedule for the Joint Entrance Exam (JEE) Main, which will unfold in two sessions this year. The inaugural session is scheduled to take place from January 27th to February 1st, 2024, with two time slots available each day, from 09:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 03:00 PM to 06:00 PM. We anticipate the subsequent session in April 2024.
The JEE Main is one of the most highly anticipated and competitive exams in India, that attracts nearly 12 lakh learners annually, serving as a gateway to prestigious engineering colleges across India.
Key Features of Infinity Learn’s Live Analysis:
- Expert faculties will provide insights on the difficulty level of the paper, subject-wise breakdown, paper pattern, and a comparative study with the previous year’s paper.
- In-depth analysis of memory-based questions and solutions.
- Evaluation of the difficulty level of numerical questions.
- Anticipate a safe score
- Introduce the JEE Mains Rank Predictor – a tool to gauge performance and estimate scores.
Infinity Learn by Sri Chaitanya being the only EdTech focusing on outcome-based learning, is set to empower learners in preparation for the upcoming JEE Main exams. This initiative serves as a testament to the EdTech’s commitment to providing real-time insights and advanced preparation strategies for achieving success.
